The BI Norwegian Business School PhD Scholarships 2027 provide an opportunity for prospective doctoral researchers to pursue a fully funded PhD pathway in Norway. BI’s doctoral programme is a four-year, full-time programme that combines doctoral study and research with 25% teaching responsibilities.
One of the most important points for prospective international applicants is that BI does not allow students to self-fund a PhD. There are no tuition fees for the PhD programme, but applicants must have an approved source of funding for their doctoral studies to have their application considered.
BI offers three main funding routes: open scholarships funded by BI, PhD scholarships connected to research projects, and Industrial PhD arrangements.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Institution | BI Norwegian Business School |
| Country | Norway |
| Study level | PhD |
| Programme duration | 4 years |
| Study mode | Full-time |
| Teaching responsibility | 25% |
| Tuition fees | No tuition fees |
| Funding requirement | Funding is mandatory |
| Main funding routes | Open scholarship, research-project scholarship, Industrial PhD |
| Open scholarship cycle | Announced once a year from September |
| Main workplace | BI Norwegian Business School, Oslo |
| Application method | Electronic |
About the BI Norwegian Business School PhD Programme
BI Norwegian Business School offers a doctoral programme designed for researchers who want to develop advanced research expertise in business and related academic disciplines.
The PhD programme lasts four years on a full-time basis. Unlike a traditional research-only doctoral position, the programme includes 25% teaching responsibilities, allowing candidates to develop both research and academic teaching experience.
BI states that there are no tuition fees for its PhD programme. However, this should not be interpreted as meaning that applicants can enrol without funding. BI explicitly requires applicants to have funding because self-funded PhD study is not permitted.
Official BI Norwegian Business School PhD Scholarships page
Three Ways to Fund a PhD at BI
BI identifies three different routes through which doctoral candidates can obtain funding.
1. Open PhD Scholarships
The open scholarship route is funded directly by BI and is announced once a year, from September.
These positions are described as “open” because the doctoral research is not tied to one particular research project. Instead, the proposed PhD research must fit within one of BI’s available areas of specialisation.
Applicants should therefore have a well-developed research interest that aligns with BI’s academic expertise.
Another important consideration is supervision. BI states that a member of the academic faculty must share the applicant’s research interests and be able to supervise the proposed research. A supervisor is appointed if the applicant is admitted.
Open scholarship vacancies are published through BI’s vacant positions page.
2. PhD Scholarships Linked to Research Projects
The second funding route consists of scholarships connected to specific research projects.
Unlike open scholarships, these positions require the doctoral research and eventual dissertation to be closely connected to the research project for which the scholarship is advertised.
These opportunities are announced from time to time rather than according to the annual schedule of open scholarships.
BI notes that applicants are usually not required to find a supervisor before applying for a project-linked scholarship. However, prospective candidates are encouraged to contact the faculty involved in the project if they are interested in applying.
Each project belongs to one of BI’s PhD specialisations, although some projects can span more than one specialisation.
3. Industrial PhD
The third route is the Industrial PhD.
This option is designed for doctoral research carried out in cooperation between BI and a business or industry organisation.
Applicants considering an Industrial PhD need to have funding and confirmation from their employer. The arrangement involves an agreement between BI and the employer covering matters such as the candidate’s time at BI, time spent with the employer and financial arrangements.
BI states that an Industrial PhD has the same educational-background requirements for admission as its other PhD routes and is also considered a full-time programme.
Applicants seeking further information about this route can contact BI directly or consult information from the relevant Norwegian research authorities.
PhD Areas and Academic Fit
The BI doctoral programme supports several areas of specialisation. The university’s scholarship information emphasises that open scholarship applicants need to ensure their proposed research fits within BI’s available PhD specialisations.
This makes research fit an important part of preparing an application.
Rather than simply submitting a general request to study for a PhD in Norway, applicants should identify:
- Their intended research area.
- The research question they want to investigate.
- How their proposed research fits BI’s academic environment.
- Potential faculty members with related research interests.
- The contribution their research could make to the field.
For project-linked scholarships, candidates should additionally demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed doctoral research and the advertised project.
Where Will PhD Candidates Study?
Successful PhD candidates will have their daily workplace and shared office at BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo, Norway.
This means the opportunity is structured as an active doctoral research environment rather than a distance-learning PhD.
Candidates should therefore be prepared for full-time participation in the programme and its associated academic responsibilities.
Is the BI PhD Fully Funded?
The term “fully funded” should be used carefully.
BI states that there are no tuition fees for the PhD programme, but it also makes clear that students must have funding before their applications can be considered.
For candidates appointed to funded BI scholarship positions, the scholarship provides the funding route required to undertake the doctoral programme.
The exact salary, employment conditions and other financial benefits should be confirmed in the individual scholarship vacancy because the information supplied for the general PhD scholarship page does not provide one universal financial figure for every funding route.
How to Find BI PhD Scholarships Starting in 2027
Prospective applicants should regularly monitor BI’s vacancies page because scholarship opportunities are published there.
For the open BI-funded scholarships, the university states that these are announced once a year, beginning in September.
Applicants should therefore begin preparing before the announcement period rather than waiting until a vacancy is published.
A good preparation strategy includes:
Step 1: Identify Your Research Area
Choose a research topic that fits one of BI’s doctoral specialisations.
Step 2: Review Faculty Research
Look for BI academics whose research interests overlap with your proposed doctoral project.
Step 3: Develop Your Research Proposal
Prepare a focused research proposal explaining the research problem, objectives, methodology and expected contribution.
Step 4: Check the Specific Vacancy
For project-linked scholarships, carefully read the individual vacancy because the research topic and application requirements can differ between projects.
Step 5: Prepare Your Academic Documents
Prospective candidates should have their academic records and other required application materials ready before applications open.
Step 6: Apply Electronically
BI states that applications for its scholarship positions are submitted electronically.
Applicants must follow the instructions provided in the individual vacancy announcement. BI specifically warns that applications that do not follow the stated guidelines will not be valid or assessed.
Can International Students Apply?
The information supplied by BI for its PhD scholarships does not state a nationality restriction on the general scholarship page.
Because scholarship vacancies can have their own requirements, international applicants should check the eligibility conditions contained in each individual announcement before applying.
The fact that the programme is based in Norway also means international candidates should separately consider immigration, residence and employment requirements applicable to doctoral researchers.
Why Consider a PhD at BI?
A doctoral programme at BI can offer several advantages for researchers interested in developing an academic career.
The four-year structure combines research with teaching experience, while the requirement for candidates to have an approved funding source provides a structured route into doctoral study.
A PhD from BI may also be relevant to candidates seeking future academic, research or business-related careers, depending on their specialisation and research profile.
BI also highlights examples of recent doctoral graduates who have progressed to academic positions at universities around the world, demonstrating the potential international career pathway associated with its PhD programme.
Important Things Applicants Should Know
There are several details applicants should not overlook.
You cannot self-fund the PhD. BI explicitly says that having funding is necessary for an application to be considered.
There are no tuition fees. The absence of tuition fees does not eliminate the funding requirement.
Open scholarships are announced annually. BI indicates that these positions are announced once a year, beginning in September.
Project scholarships are different. Research-project scholarships are tied closely to specific projects and may appear at different times.
Application instructions matter. BI states that applications failing to follow the requirements in the relevant announcement will not be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BI Norwegian Business School PhD free?
Yes. BI states that there are no tuition fees for its PhD programme. However, applicants must have funding because self-funded PhD study is not permitted.
How long is the BI PhD programme?
The programme is a four-year full-time doctoral programme, including 25% teaching responsibilities.
When are BI’s open PhD scholarships announced?
BI states that open scholarships are announced once a year, from September.
Are BI PhD scholarships tied to research projects?
Some are. BI has both open scholarships and scholarships linked to specific research projects.
Can I apply without finding a supervisor?
For project-linked scholarships, BI says applicants are usually not required to find a supervisor before applying. For open scholarships, applicants should have research interests that align with a BI faculty member who can supervise the proposed research.
Can I self-fund my PhD at BI?
No. BI explicitly states that self-funding is not possible for its PhD programme.
Final Thoughts
The BI Norwegian Business School PhD Scholarships starting in 2027 could be an attractive option for qualified researchers seeking doctoral study in Norway without tuition fees and with access to funded doctoral positions.
The key distinction is that BI does not offer a general “apply for admission and pay later” PhD route. Applicants must have funding, with the main options being an open BI scholarship, a research-project scholarship or an Industrial PhD arrangement.
For candidates targeting the 2027 intake, September is particularly important because BI states that its open scholarships are announced annually from that period. Preparing a strong research proposal, identifying relevant faculty expertise and monitoring BI’s vacancy announcements can help applicants respond quickly when suitable positions are published.
Applicants should always read the specific vacancy and the official BI PhD admission requirements before submitting an application, as individual scholarship announcements may have additional criteria.
Check BI PhD Scholarships and Funding
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